Battle of Rogue River

The Indians, under Chief Mike, have been defeating the Army in Oregon for years. The new commander, Major Archer, plans to defeat the Indians once and for all, but his orders are changed to attempt a peaceful settlement. But there are certain people who do not want Oregon to become a state and they will attempt to keep the Indians on the war path.

The Battle of Rogue River is an unpretentious, straightforward, typical "Cavalry vs Indians" tale from Columbia Pictures . It's paced well, the plot holds things together and it has a modicum of action with a bit of a twist in regard to who is really a bad apple. Richard Denning plays the bad apple. George Montgomery is usually reliable and plays a stern officer with an obsession for following rules. Martha Hyer is quite stunning. The dialogue between Chief Mike and two of his braves when the braves are relating their experience with the "terrible weapons" that the major used against them is quite amusing.

In this reminder of his journeyman days as a director of westerns for Columbia William Castle was already showing signs of the cynical sense of humour that soon became a feature of his exploitation pictures in his depiction of the US cavalry as an ill-humoured bunch; the Indians not being much better as the chief berates his braves for sustaining insufficient casualties during a raiding party

George Montgomery shows a natural talent for winding his men up the wrong way and certainly lives up to his admonition that "An officer's weakness is measured by every one of his men that likes him personally".

Martha Hyer, meanwhile, as a comely lass in a blouse and tight britches shows she has other fish to fry when she gazes longingly at him and coos "Did you ever notice what blue eyes he has?"; to which Montgomery's idea of banter when he tells Hyer "Not another word" and she replies "Fine!" is to respond "That's another word!"

I was raised on such Westerns, as a child I would sit with my Father to watch the Sunday afternoon Cowboy movies.

In fact, in later years he would often tell girlfriend's of mine, this was the only time I was quiet and happy.

The majority were such cheaply produced films, with the occasional John Wayne or Audie Murphy movies as a treat.

The best comment of this movie happens between Miss McClain and the Major, when he attempts a compliment to the young woman and Miss MC Clain replies: "Easy Major, One campaign at a time!. "

It is good for a B - movie, no doubt. But nevertheless not up to Hollywood Western standards, for sure.

Like all B - movie Westerns, the story is poor and good script is replaced by the usual Indian Savages Versus the noble and righteous White folk.

Anyway, for those hoping to get a Western movie from their local TV stations, this will do.

Not great, poor script writing, and poor knowledge of the US uniform of the time.

Acting is average in general, yet somehow it gets by.

There are a Few Things of Interest in this "Assembly Line" Picture that was made in the Middle of the Decade Long Love Affair with the "Western".

Directed with a Surprising Lack of Style by Horror Manipulator William Castle. It has a Strong B-Movie Cast Playing Cookie Cutter Characters. Nothing here Elevates but it is Competent, in Color, Widescreen and Short (71 min).

It is one of those Professional Only Entertainments that 1950's Movie Going Audiences were Offered that didn't Give a Hoot about Anthony Mann or Budd Boetticher. It's sort of a Pedestrian Escape and one of Many Traditional Following the John Ford Mantra.

Try and Catch all the Interesting Names of the Leading Characters. Slightly Above Average of its Kind and Plays it Safe all the way.

It Stars Middle Budget Stalwarts George Montgomery, Richard Denning, Michael Granger, as "Chief Mike" the most polite and even handed "Savage" You're likely to see, and Martha Hyer as the Only Woman in the Movie, a Feisty Female with Brains and Beauty.

This film begins in 1850 when Oregon was still a territory in which certain American businessmen are keen to prevent statehood as it would affect their profits. To that end they continue to stir up the native Indian tribes in that area as they figure that violence between them and the American army will at least prolong its territorial outlook. It's during this time that a new hard-nosed Army officer named "Major Frank Archer" (George Montgomery) arrives at one of the forts with a mission to defeat the warring tribes under "Chief Mike" (Michael Granger) and compel him to surrender. Helping him in this effort is a frontiersman by the name of "Stacey Wyatt" (Richard Denning) who happens to be romantically involved with one of the women at the fort named "Brett McLain" (Martha Hyer). However, their relationship changes upon the arrival of Major Archer as does the role that Stacey has assumed as well. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film started off well enough but then loses its vitality after the first 30 minutes or so. Admittedly, it isn't a bad Western as far as it goes but there are much better out there and for that reason I have rated this film accordingly. Average.